Tarzan Boy Explained

Tarzan Boy
Cover:Tarzan boy (Baltimora).jpg
Type:single
Artist:Baltimora
Album:Living in the Background
B-Side:DJ version
Released:1985
Length:6:15 (album version)
3:50 (single version)
Producer:Maurizio Bassi
Next Title:Woody Boogie
Next Year:1985

"Tarzan Boy" is the debut single by Italian-based act Baltimora. The song was written by Maurizio Bassi and Naimy Hackett, and released in 1985 as the lead single from Baltimora's debut album Living in the Background. The song was remixed and re-released in 1993, and has been covered by several artists throughout the years.

The refrain uses Tarzan's cry as a melodic line. The song is rhythmical, with an electronic melody and simple lyrics.[1] Baltimora are often considered a one-hit wonder due to the success they experienced with "Tarzan Boy".[2] It features a melodic motif that was later named the millennial whoop.[3]

The music video for the song features the frontman for the band's performances, Jimmy McShane, who according to some sources did not actually sing the song but rather lip synced it.[2]

Background

In a 1985 interview with Manchester Evening News, McShane said of the song and its success,

In 1995, McShane announced his intention to re-record "Tarzan Boy" for release as a charity single. All proceeds were to have gone to the Northern Ireland AIDS Helpline and the AIDS clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast,[4] but McShane died of an AIDS-related illness in March 1995 before he could re-record it.[5]

Chart performance

"Tarzan Boy" was an international hit, debuting in the top five Italian charts and performing well in several other European countries, including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and notably, France, where "Tarzan Boy" was most successful, topping the charts there for five consecutive weeks. In the United Kingdom, it reached number 3 in September 1985. The single had success in the United States (where it was released by EMI), with the single remaining on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six months and ultimately peaking at number 13 in early 1986.

In 1993, "Tarzan Boy" was featured on the soundtrack of the American film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, both in its original form and as a new remix by Daniel Abraham.[6] It was released as a single from the soundtrack and would re-enter the Billboard charts at number 68 and peak at number 51 five weeks later. It would spend an additional 12 weeks on the chart, exiting the Hot 100 on 12 June 1993.

Critical reception

Upon its release in the US, Billboard wrote, "Disco novelty from Italy was a summertime smash in Europe, thanks to a maddeningly catchy swinging-through-the-vines hook."[7]

Uses in sports

From January 2020 to July 2023, AEW wrestler, "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry used "Tarzan Boy" as his entrance music. As of the 2023 Major League Baseball season, "Tarzan Boy" was the walk-on song, or entrance music, played each time Mark Canha came to bat for the New York Mets.

Czech Extraliga team HC Sparta Praha has used the chorus of the song regularly since the 1986–1987 season in its home arenas as the official celebration anthem each time the team scores a goal.[8]

Track listing and formats

Original version

7" single
  1. "Tarzan Boy" – 3:48
  2. "Tarzan Boy" (DJ version) – 3:36
12" single
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (extended version) – 6:15
  2. "Tarzan Boy" (DJ version) – 5:09
12" maxi
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dance version) – 6:16
  2. "Tarzan Boy" (single version) – 3:49
  3. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dub version) – 5:10
12" maxi – Summer version
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (Summer version) – 6:40
  2. "Tarzan Boy" (reprise) – 6:00

1993 version

CD single
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
  2. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49
12" single
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
  2. "Tarzan Boy" (UK swing mix) – 3:18
  3. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dub) – 5:10
CD maxi
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49
  2. "Tarzan Boy" (extended 1993 remix) – 5:33
  3. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dub mix) – 5:10
Cassette
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
  2. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49
  3. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
  4. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49
CD maxi – Promo
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:45
  2. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:46
  3. "Tarzan Boy" (extended 1993 remix) – 5:35
  4. "Tarzan Boy" (UK swing mix) – 3:21
  5. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dub) – 5:01

2010 version

Streaming single
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (Digital Remaster) – 3:49

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1985–1986)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] 16
Denmark (IFPI)[10] 1
Europe (European Top 100 Singles)[11] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[12] 1
Italy (Musica e dischi)[13] 5
Portugal (AFP)1
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[14] 3
Spain (AFYVE)[15] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 13
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)6
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)12
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[17] 18

Year-end charts

Chart (1985)! scope="col"
Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 4
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[20] 53
Europe (European Top 100 Singles)[21] 3
France (IFOP)[22] 10
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[23] 17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 21
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 2
UK Singles (Gallup)[26] 44
West Germany (Official German Charts)[27] 9
Chart (1986)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard Hot 100[28] 73
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[29] 50

Cover versions

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Habib, Elia . 2002 . Muz hit. tubes . 49 . Alinéa Bis . 2-9518832-0-X.
  2. Web site: Tommy . Marx . One Hit Wonder: Baltimora . . 17 July 2009 . 6 August 2019 .
  3. Web site: Patrick . Metzger . The Millennial Whoop: A glorious obsession with the melodic alternation between the fifth and the third . The Patterning . 20 August 2016 . 27 April 2019 .
  4. News: McMonagle . Michael . Tarzan's Boy gets new sidekick . . 3 January 1995 . 9 . . subscription . 3 May 2024.
  5. News: Pop star "Baltimora" dies in Derry . . 31 March 1995 . 5 . . subscription . 3 May 2024.
  6. Biofeedback: Baltimora . . 26 March 1993 . 1947 . 22 . 34039542.
  7. Reviews: Singles . . 12 October 1985 . Billboard Publications, Inc. . 97 . 41 . 77 . 0006-2510.
  8. Web site: HC Sparta Praha » Píseň Tarzan Boy provází Spartu již dvacet let!. Vojtěch. Gibiš. www.hcsparta.cz.
  9. Book: Kent, David . David Kent (historian) . 1993 . Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . illustrated . Australian Chart Book . St Ives, N.S.W. . 0-646-11917-6.
  10. Top 3 in Europe . . 2 . 33 . 19 August 1985 . 7 . 29800226.
  11. European Top 100 Singles . Eurotipsheet . 2 . 33 . 19 August 1985 . 10 . 29800226.
  12. Book: Pennanen, Timo . Baltimora . Sisältää hitin – Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 . fi . 2nd . Helsinki . . 2021 . 24 . 978-952-7460-01-6.
  13. Classifiche . . it . 4 August 2023. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Tarzan boy" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".
  14. Web site: South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (B) . The South African Rock Encyclopedia . 27 July 2013 .
  15. Book: Salaverri, Fernando . September 2005 . Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 . 1st . . Madrid . 84-8048-639-2 . es.
  16. Web site: Baltimora Awards . . 27 July 2013 . 14 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160314212005/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/baltimora-mn0000065000/awards.
  17. Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending March 1, 1986 . . 2 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121002181046/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19860301.html.
  18. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 1985 . austriancharts.at . 4 August 2023 . de.
  19. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1985 – Singles . . 22 February 2021 . nl.
  20. RPM's Top 100 Singles of 1985 . 43 . 16 . 28 December 1985 . . 11 . 0033-7064 . Library and Archives Canada.
  21. Bakker . Machgiel . Inglis . Cathy . Pan-European Awards 1985 . . 2 . 51/52 . 23 December 1985 . 7 . 29800226.
  22. Web site: Top – 1985 . Top-france.fr . 18 January 2014 . fr.
  23. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985 . . 21 September 2010 . nl.
  24. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985 . . 18 January 2014 . nl.
  25. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1985 . hitparade.ch . 4 August 2023 . de.
  26. Top 100 Singles (January 5–December 28, 1985) . . 18 January 1986 . 10 . 0265-1548.
  27. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1985 . . 9 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150509000540/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1985 . de . live.
  28. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1986 . . 4 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210603140007/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1986/hot-100-songs . 3 June 2021.
  29. Dance Club Songs – Year-End 1986 . . 4 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200216223230/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1986/dance-club-songs . 16 February 2020.
  30. News: Music & Media. 6. 11. 18 March 1989. Eurochartbusters: The Hot 100 Singles Compiled from Music & Medias Five Year Chart Archives. 32–33 . 29800226. 5 Years . World Radio History . 9 July 2024.
  31. Web site: Priyankee . Saikia . 10 Bollywood Movies with Blockbuster Soundtracks . MensXP.com . 2 May 2013 . 27 April 2019 .
  32. Web site: Lescharts.com – Bango – Tarzan Boy . Lescharts.com. Hung Medien . 27 July 2013 . fr.
  33. Web site: Swedishcharts.com – Bad Influence feat. Dyce – Tarzan Boy . Swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien . 27 July 2013 .

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